Official name: Democratic People's Republic of Korea Independent since: 1948 Former colonial ruler: Japan
Location: East Asia, northern half of Korean Peninsula
Area: 46,541 square miles
Capital: Pyongyang
Population: 22.2 million (2002 est.)
Official language: Korean
Major religions: Atheism; Ch'ongdogyo; traditional beliefs Gross domestic product: US$21.8 billion (2001 est.)
Major exports: minerals; metal products; cement; agricultural products Military expenditures: US$5 billion-$5.1 billion (2001)
Separate one that has developed over the centuries. Korea has its own entirely distinct spoken and written language, as well as its own clothing, housing styles, foods, and traditions. For centuries, Korea served as a kind of cultural bridge, transmitting ideas across the sea to Japan.
Equally important, Korea has also been ruled by a unified state system since 662 c. E. It is thus a country that has existed in its present form, more or less, longer than thirteen hundred years. Through those centuries, Korea had political dynasties, like China, and was ruled over by kings. The last Korean dynasty, the Yi, or Choson, Dynasty, lasted from 1392 until 1910.
Because Korea was a comparatively small country surrounded by larger powers, it often experienced foreign invasion. Perhaps the most devastating invasion occurred during the 1590's, when Japan invaded Korea. Although the Japanese were eventually driven out, Korea was left devastated. Afterward, many Koreans distrusted the Japanese, fearing that Japan still wanted to take over Korea.
Because it feared foreign invasion, Korea adopted a policy of isolation, hoping this policy would protect it from future invasion. As a result, Korea entered the modern era of the nineteenth century with little knowledge of the outside world. It knew especially little about the Western world, which had become more powerful and imperialistic in recent centuries. As other countries became stronger, Korea became weaker.
World History
